INVERCARGILL—THE FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 20661, 17 April 1929, Page 3

INVERCARGILL—THE FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHLAND.

To the Editor.

Sir, —May I be permitted to comment, briefly ■ upon some remarks made in' your Playground page of last Saturday’s issue? The writer, in commenting upon a country player’s ineligibility to play in Invercargill competitions, makes a remark which I cannot let go unchallenged—“ Universities are not erected in the country districts. Good country educationists better themselves at the town seats of learning.” Quite so, Mr Editor, but do those same educationists always give of their learning so acquired to town scholars? Their learning is quite as often passed on, in some degree, to country’ pupils and, in so doing, those same educationists do not lose their polish. Well, Mr Editor, using that parallel docs it not seem feasible that a football player of ability can help to raise the standard of country football without losing his polish? The article also says that Southland has lost good men by debarring them from participating in Invercargill competitions owing to residential limitations. May I suggest that the players so lost have not been sufficiently keen on the game for the games sake to play in country matches. Possibly also the- selectors may object to picking a country player—ex town—as it would almost, establish a precedent, in Southland and other country men of ability’ might clamour for selection, and so upset the chances of Invercargill's favoured few. Finally. Mr Editor, another article on the same page states that it is time N.Z. football was overhauled. It would be a good suggestion, based upon the previous statement mentioned, to establish a N.Z. Football University. I would suggest that Masterton, the centre for the holders of the Ranfurly Shield, be the home of such university, and, that the various unions send their best to that centre to learn the art of Rugby.—l am, etc., "COUNTRY PLAYER." Edendale South, April 16, 1929.